Lifestyle
Recipes
disclosure and privacy policy
Cookie Policy
Start a Blog
blog

Bellewood Cottage

crafts + home + kids

About
Booklists
Reading Aloud
Board Books
Picture Books
Babies and Toddlers
DIY
blog

favorite

projects

make memories together

Reading Aloud

books little ones love

Book Reviews

booklists for babies & kids

Booklists

get all the latest updates to your inbox

First Name Email Address

popular

posts

about

Ellen

Holding colorful picture books.

About

Hi there, I’m Ellen! I’m a mama who understands that raising kiddos is BUSY. So, let me take one thing off your plate. Here you’ll find me reviewing books little ones love. I’ll do the searching, pre-reading, sifting out the blah titles, and summarizing the style, age range, and content (and more) for you. Simply follow Bellewood Cottage (lots more reviews on Instagram) and … read more

latest from

the Blog

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag with French Seams Tutorial

The Best Washi Tape Shops on Etsy

DIY Christmas Window Ornament Using Chalk-Style Paint

Simplicity 8538 | Or, The One Where I Sew a Toddler Dress That Actually Works Out

The Best Gift Ideas for Babies 0-3 Months – Heirloom Gifts for Any Newborn

New Fall Picture Books from Candlewick Press!

1
2
3
…
28
Next Page »

More about Ellen

Hi there, I’m Ellen! Here you’ll find me reviewing books little ones love. I’ll do the searching, sifting, and summarizing for you. Simply follow Bellewood Cottage and when you see titles that sound perfect for you and your kids, just request them from your library or order online. Read More…

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Privacy & Disclosures

Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

Copyright

Thank you for visiting Bellewood Cottage! All images, text, and creative elements are copyrighted. Sharing on social media and Pinterest is welcomed. Otherwise, if you are a blogger, find details on how to share my content while respecting copyright here. Thank you again!

Let’s Connect

Looking for something?

bellewoodcottage

Christian mama sharing:
🌷 Books little ones love + read aloud tips
🌷 Crafts & DIY for your home + little ones

🌿I'm excited to share this new tutorial today b

🌿I'm excited to share this new tutorial today because it uses some of my favorite sewing things...Linen, enclosed French seams, and handmade bias tape (@bessiepearl ). These easy drawstring bags are perfect for using as reusable gift bags, organizing, storing craft projects or just about anything else. ⁣
⁣
🌿The enclosed French seams make them beautiful inside and out!⁣
⁣
🌿Full instructional tutorial and video for you on my website! ❤️⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#makersgonnamake #lifestyleblogger #diyblogger #lovelysquares #midwestblogger #calledtobecreative #makeithappen #seekthesimplicity #smalljoys #howyouhome #bellewoodcottage #bellewoodcottagecrafts #sewingproject #sewingtutorials #sewingtutorial #crafts #Christmascrafts #bellewoodcottagecrafts

❄️Snoozapalooza by Kimberlee Gard and illustra

❄️Snoozapalooza by Kimberlee Gard and illustrated by Vivian Mineker (disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)❄️⁣
⁣
❄️Well, it’s snowing here in MN today (yep, not sure how I feel about this) so it felt like the right time to post this cozy picture book at least! This rhyming story is the tale of forest animals beginning to hibernate one after another. First, a tiny mouse. Then, a snail too. Soon the heap of animals is growing quickly as a chipmunk, rabbit, fox, and more all snuggle in against the cold.⁣
⁣
❄️A great book for counting with your littles as each page emphasizes the addition of every new animal--all the way up to ten. Kiddos will especially love reading about the din that is created when this many animals are snoring through winter together! A cozy picture book for your 4-8 year old. ❤️⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#readingwithkids #familius #familiusbooks #Readingaloud #readaloudfamily #readingisfun #booksfortoddlers #booksforkids #picturebookblogger #picturebooks #picturebooklibrary

Making hair bows from bias tape is easy! All you n

Making hair bows from bias tape is easy! All you need is about 8-12" of double fold bias tape and nylon headbands to create easy no-sew hair bows for your baby. If you feel up to it, you can add detail with embroidery or tiny seed beads as shown here.
.
.
.
.
#diy #crafts #baby #babygirl #babyheadbands #babyclips #biastape #craftsforbabies #diyheadbands #diybows #nosewbows #lifestyleblogger #momblogger #craftblogger #creative #makersgonnamake #lovelysquares

I finished sewing this dress a while back now and

I finished sewing this dress a while back now and am finally getting around to posting it here. Sewing is a journey! There are so many factors that affect how a finished piece turns out. This dress though, I'm actually really happy with. (Note: pattern is an older Simplicity 8538)

One thing I liked about this pattern was the gathered sleeves. Setting in a gathered sleeve was MUCH easier than setting in a smooth sleeve. I still need to work on that! What's your greatest challenge with sewing?

#toddlerdress #sewingjourney
#simplicitypatterns #sewingforbaby #seekthesimplicity #bellewoodcottage #bellewoodcottagecrafts #sewingpatterns

🍁This book just makes me smile! I mentioned it

🍁This book just makes me smile! I mentioned it earlier this week in my stories and wanted to share it here as well. ⁣
⁣
🍁Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf🍁⁣
⁣
🍁Such a sweet and funny picture book. Little Sophie finds a squash at the farmer’s market and decides it is her new best friend. She dubs the squash, “Bernice” and they become inseparable. Though Sophie might have to say goodbye to her squash, you’ll love how things end up working out in the end. Make time to read this picture book this season! Ages 4-8, but I think 2-3 year olds will enjoy it too.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#Readingaloud #bellewoodcottagebooks #picturebooks #picturebookblogger #fallreading #autumnbooks #fallkidsbooks #booksfortoddlers #yeskidsbookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookaday

In case you missed it! Each of these beautiful new

🎉New! 🎉Will You Be My Friend? By Sam McBratn

🎉New! 🎉Will You Be My Friend? By Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram (thank you to @candlewickpress for sharing this sweet book with us!)⁣
⁣
🌿You probably have a copy of Guess How Much I Love You around your house. Published in ’94, the original story of Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare explaining how much they love each other (“As high as I can reach!” to which Big Nutbrown Hare replies, “As high as I can reach!” etc.) is incredibly popular and very sweet. ⁣
⁣
🌿This book is the sequel and just as wonderful. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to play and goes off on his own to try to find something fun to do. He encounters a Cloudy Mountain Hare named Tipps and they form a fast friendship amidst the magical watercolor world of Anita Jeram.⁣
⁣
🌿Watching the pair of new friends frolic through the pastel colored landscape is both captivating for kids and charming for any older adult reading it to them. An excellent choice for a new baby (perhaps paired with the first book!) or a gift for an older child too. Ages 3+ ⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#readingaloud #guesshowmuchiloveyou #childrensbook #candlewickpress #booksforbabies #babybookstagram #babybookshopping #booksfortoddlers #preschoolersbooks #bellewoodcottagebooks #2020books #homeschooling2020

🎉 New! 🎉 A Review of Jabari Tries by Gaia Co

🎉 New! 🎉 A Review of Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall (disclosure: thank you to @CandlewickPress for this great new picture book)⁣
⁣
🌿Jabari plans to build a flying machine in his yard—and declares he won’t need any help. However, things soon become more challenging than he anticipated! ⁣
⁣
🌿Three things I love about this book:⁣
⁣
1️⃣Collaboration/sibling relationships: Jabari and his younger sister Nika figure out how to work together.⁣
⁣
2️⃣Patience and perseverance: The story shows how Jabari gets frustrated and how he deals with that frustration and moves forward. A great book to illustrate these skills for kids.⁣
⁣
3️⃣Practical solutions for problem-solving: The story demonstrates asking for help, collaborating with others, and taking a step back to reevaluate the situation.⁣
⁣
🌿Jabari Tries provides not just a wonderful story, but a springboard for parents to have conversations with their kids about how to tackle difficult problems and persevere in the face of challenges. Ages 4-8⁣
⁣
🌿By the way, if you haven’t yet picked up a copy of the prior book, Jabari Jumps, go ahead and check out that one too!⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#readaloud⁣ #candlewickpress
#jabarijumps #readwithyourkids #readaloudbooks #picturebookblogger #picturebooklibrary
#booksofinstagram #booksforkids #childrensbook #authorsforkids

🍁Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawli

🍁Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke🍁⁣
⁣
🍁Fletcher’s favorite tree is sick. The leaves are turning brown! His mother encourages him, “Don’t worry, it’s only autumn.” When the first leaf falls, Fletcher gently ties it back on with a piece of grass, but soon there are too many leaves to repair.⁣
⁣
🍁Fletcher grows more and more distraught as his tree continues to lose its leaves and he doesn’t know how to help. While parents may expect the story to end with a springtime renewal of the tree’s foliage, you might be surprised by how the author/illustrator creatively choose to end the book.
⁣
🍁The beautiful art and sweet story make this one of my favorite fall picture books!🍁⁣
⁣
🍁Ages 4-8 (and don’t forget to check out the other books in the Fletcher series)

🍁“Evelyn Del Rey is my major amiga, my númer

🍁“Evelyn Del Rey is my major amiga, my número uno best friend.” (disclosure: thank you to Candlewick Press for sharing a copy of this book with me to review.)⁣
⁣
🍁Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Newbery Medalist Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez🍁⁣
⁣
🍁Daniela and Evelyn are best friends who live across the street from each other. Today is like any other day…except that it's the day Evelyn is moving away. With the orange leaves of autumn around them, the two friends spend one last day of fun together and try to be brave as the time comes for Evelyn to drive away.⁣
⁣
🍁We all wish our Littles would never encounter any grief or sadness in their lives, but in our broken world, it’s impossible. Books like these help kids process through change and big feelings. I love the friendship between these two sweet girls and the realistic story the author and illustrator created.⁣ ❤️
⁣
🍁Excellent picture book for conversations about friendship, sadness/grief, and change. Ages 4-8.

Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2020 · Market theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settings ACCEPT Reject

Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary

Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.